Cruise Description

In partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE and with featured guest Alain Duault.

RADIO CLASSIQUE and PONANT invite you on their third lyrical festival at sea. Enjoy eight timeless days aboard L’Austral, between discoveries of Mediterranean wonders and intimate concerts on board the ship.

Malaga, a sun-kissed city on the Costa del Sol and the birthplace of famous painter Pablo Picasso, marks the start of your Mediterranean musical odyssey.

Andalusia soon makes way for Murcia. You will arrive in Cartagena, a former Roman colony where there is still a majestic amphitheatre. As you roam the city, you will discover the many monuments reflecting its numerous influences and rich history.

You will leave the Iberian Peninsula for the African shores of the Mediterranean. You will follow in the footsteps of the Andalusian sailors who, in 902, crossed the Mediterranean to found Oran. “The radiant”, as it is dubbed, will be your gateway to Algeria, its secrets and its elusive poetry.

Algiers shines in the distance. From its legendary bay, the houses of its Casbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, seem to leap onto the Haussmann-style buildings of the sea front. The architectural styles mingle, the different eras find harmony, and the energy of the metropolis is captivating.

L’Austral resumes its journey to head for the Tunisian shores and capital, Tunis. Rome’s great rival, Ancient Carthage, is yours to discover as you visit its ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sicily, jewel of the Mediterranean, is the last port of call of this musical journey. Trapani and its ancient past welcome you for a dive into the heritage of the Mediterranean’s largest island.

Your cruise will come to an end in Valletta, capital of the island of Malta and former stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta.